Camilla turned and looked around for her father. He was standing at the gate to the café garden with her mother, shaking people’s hands as they arrived. Probably letting the locals know he was back, she realised. Since he’d come to her cottage on Wednesday, he’d been her rock. He’d explained to her mother, Dawn and Rick that Camilla had been a bit under the weather, then gone to see Allie and Honey and said the same to them. Of course, they all knew what was wrong with Camilla, but they also knew that she needed some time to deal with her emotions. So they’d visited her, bringing cakes and chocolates, love and laughter, and she’d managed to act as if everything was all right, even though inside she felt as if her heart had frozen and would never thaw.
Each time her visitors had gone, Camilla had sunk onto her sofa with the throw, and her dad had come to her and held her tight as she’d cried. After her mobile had charged, it had rung several times on the Wednesday,but she’d ignored it then turned it off, not wanting to know if Tom was trying to reach her or not. He had a whole life that she wasn’t a part of and she had to ensure that she still had her life without him.
He had a wife…
She swallowed hard. The thought still burned her insides like bile and she forced herself to push it from her mind. She was Camilla Dix, strong businesswoman, loved daughter, sister, auntie and friend. She would get over this… blip… and move on.
“Hi Camilla.” Rick arrived next to his wife, slightly out of breath.
“What’s wrong with you?” Camilla asked.
“Just as we were leaving the house, Mum phoned and started telling me all about her latest Poldark adventure. I thought I’d never get away, so I told Dawn and the kids to go on ahead and I’d catch up. I didn’t expect Mum to go on for quite that long though.”
“Poldark at Christmas?” Camilla giggled.
“Yes! Paul has taken Fenella back to Cornwall for Christmas. Just the two of them and they’re staying until the New Year.”
“Holed up in a cottage with a sea view.” Rick nodded.
“That’s so romantic.” Camilla’s heart contracted.
“Isn’t it?” Dawn smiled. “Since he found out how low she was feeling, he’s done his best to spoil her. He still has his hobbies but he’s devoting more time to his marriage these days.”
“And long may it continue!” Rick said. “Look, Dawn, there’s Honey and Dane. Best go and say hello.”
“Tell Honey I’ll catch up with her later.”
“Will do. I’m hoping this will wear Laura and James out to be honest because they’re so excited about Santa coming later.”
Camilla kissed Dawn’s cheek then watched as Rick led her sister across the garden. She walked around the side of the café and sat down on a bench under the pergola. Thick cushions had been spread over the benches and the pergola had been draped with colourful fairy lights that glowed in the darkness of the cold, crisp December evening. Beyond the lights, the sky was pitch black and the stars twinkled like diamonds. A few soft grey clouds moved slowly across the sky, creating a layered effect that reminded Camilla how much there was beyond Heatherlea, beyond the earth and how much there was still to discover. It was beautiful and uplifting.
In fact, the whole of the café and the garden contributed to the magical festive mood. The garden was illuminated by the lights of the café that glowed warmly from the windows and by the fairy lights that had been draped over the trees, the front of the cottage itself and the pergola. Gas outdoor heaters were dotted around the lawn, sending warmth into the evening and people gravitated towards them, cradling their mugs of mulled wine or hot chocolate. In the corner of the garden, to the left of the gate, a large Christmas tree stood proudly, dressed with twinkling lights, tinsel and, at the top, a sparkling silver fairy.
As Camilla sat, quietly watching the people she knew gathering for the annual Christmas Eve celebration, Allie appeared at her side.
“Hello you.” Allie sat next to her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” Camilla offered her friend a smile. “It’s been a busy year, hasn’t it?”
“Oh yes it has. For all of us.”
“I’m so glad things have worked out so well for you and Dawnie. Hopefully for Honey too if the way Dane is gazing at her is anything to go by.”
“Well, they’re just friends at the moment but who knows what the New Year will bring.”
“A baby.” Camilla cradled her mug between her hands.
“What?” Allie turned to face her.
“Oh… not Honey or me, of course! I was referring to Dawn.”
“Of course you were.” Allie shook her head. “I think I must’ve sampled too much of that mulled wine as I was making it.”
“You’ll have a lovely Christmas with Chris.”
Allie nodded. “But I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be.” Camilla took Allie’s hand. “I have so much. Look at my family. Reunited at last.”
“It is wonderful to see your mother so happy. Do you think…” Allie bit her bottom lip.
“Think what?”
“Do you think your father will stay?”
“Who knows? I hope so because it is so good to see Mum happy. And he has been amazing this week, almost as if he were trying to make up for lost time.”
“Do you think that’s possible then?”
Camilla paused. Could people make up for their mistakes? Could they really put their hurt aside and learn to forgive.
“I do. I wasn’t sure if I could forgive him, or if Mum could, but now… perhaps it’s the Christmas magic in the air but I feel like I could forgive anything.”
“Perhaps that’s a good thing.”
“What?”
“Well I know what happened with Tom. I made your father tell me, even though he didn’t want to.”
“Oh.”
“Now remember what you said about forgiveness and Christmas magic?”
“Yes, but why…”
Allie nodded at the Christmas tree across the garden and Camilla followed her gaze.
Her heart froze and her stomach dropped to the frosty grass.
“However you feel right now, just talk to him. Misunderstandings can ruin perfectly good relationships.”
“I didn’t think he’d come back. I mean… I did, because he has his business but I didn’t expect to see him today.”
“Well he is back and he was only gone just over a week. Not twenty years like your father. See what he has to say and remember, Camilla, we’re all here for you and we love you.”
Allie hugged Camilla tight then got up and walked away and Camilla was left gazing at Tom. Hairy Pawter was with him and the dog was wearing what looked like a canine version of a Christmas jumper. Tom wore jeans and heavy boots with a padded black North Face jacket and matching beanie. His face looked pale underneath the hat, and as he turned and looked around, he met her eyes and gave a half wave.
She was overwhelmed by an urge to jump up and run. Anywhere. Just to escape the way her heart was thundering and how her stomach churned. But she knew that she wouldn’t, because as much as she’d been hurt by what she’d found out, she had missed him and it was good to see him. Even if it was to say goodbye.
As he walked over to her, she downed the rest of her mulled wine then stood up.
She would face this on her feet like the grown-up that she was.
Camilla Dix was not afraid of anything… because her worst fears had already been realised, so there was nothing left to hurt her.
18
“Camilla.”
His soft brown eyes roamed her face and her stomach somersaulted in the way she was getting used to whenever Tom was around.
“Hi Tom.”
“It looks amazing here. Is it like this every year?”
She nodded. “Allie always makes an effort. It’s important to her and it’s become a festive tradition to have carols at the café on Christmas Eve.”
“All we need now is some snow and it wil
l be perfect.”
Camilla gazed at his handsome face, his broad shoulders and the faint dimple in his chin. The familiar urge to caress it rose but she squashed it immediately. There would be no caressing of chin dimples now or any other day.
“Snow would be good, yes. Laura and James would love that.”
A snuffling at her feet brought her attention to HP and she crouched down to greet him.
“Hello boy!” She rubbed his velvet-soft ears then let him sniff her hand. His little tail wiggled madly.
“He’s glad to see you. He’s missed you. And so have I.””
Camilla planted a kiss on HP’s nose then stood up again.
“I missed him too… and you. But—”
“Camilla!” He raised a hand and shook his head. “I think I know what might have upset you.”
“I’m not upset.” She folded her arms across her chest and took a deep breath.
“Are you sure? You haven’t answered one of my calls or texts since I left and I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Tom. I’m absolutely fine.”
His face fell. “Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Well in that case will you have a mulled wine with me?”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
“Why not?”
She bit her lip. She didn’t want to sound petty but something inside her was fizzing and she couldn’t seem to stop it. “Perhaps your wife wouldn’t like it.”
“I knew it!” He sighed. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“There’s no need. You have a wife back in Brighton and you’ve been with her, probably enjoying all the festive build up and having all the sex and all the fun…” She sniffed. “While I was back here waiting for you, thinking that we were somehow, in some way, falling in love. But that’s just fine! I am fine! And I wish you and… your wife well. Merry Christmas, Tom.”
Camilla made to march past him but he grabbed her hand and stopped her. She wanted to shake him off but her heart was aching and Hairy Pawter was blinking up at her with his big brown eyes, looking so cute and cuddly in his Christmas jumper.
Her anger drained away and she was suddenly afraid that she was going to cry.
“Camilla…” His voice caught and when she met his eyes, she was surprised to find them glistening. “Please let me explain.”
She nodded and he released her hand.
“I went back to Brighton to see my parents, as you know. But on the Sunday, early in the morning, Danni turned up. I hadn’t arranged to see her but there was always a chance I’d bump into her.”
A sour taste filled Camilla’s mouth and she swallowed hard.
“Her turning up at your parents’ house isn’t exactly bumping into her.”
“No, I know that. Of course I do. But she turned up and…”
“And?”
“Danni asked if we could talk. I hadn’t seen her for a while and it was a bit strange and strained but it needed to be done. See… one of the reasons I went back was for an appointment with my solicitor. We’re getting divorced and I needed to sign the papers and sort out our finances so that’s it’s all finished… once and for all.”
Camilla blinked at him, not quite sure what to say.
“So she is still your wife?” she forced out eventually.
“In legal terms but not for long.”
“And you don’t want her back?”
He laughed. “Not at all. A lot happened between us and we drifted apart a long time ago. But her affair was the final straw, the sign that we needed to end our marriage.”
“And she’s happy with that too?”
“Extremely. She’s still with the guy she left me for and she’s seven months pregnant with his child.”
“Wow!” Relief coursed through Camilla.
“Exactly. So I signed the final papers on Monday and wanted to get in to see the bank manager about the house sale that has finally gone through, but I couldn’t get an appointment until Thursday. I tried to ring you and text you to let you know but…”
“I didn’t even read your texts or answer your calls.”
“I was so worried. I thought about phoning your mother or the café but it seemed too personal and I knew I’d be back soon, so I just gritted my teeth and focused on sorting everything so I could come back to Heatherlea. Back to you.”
“Oh Tom.” Camilla’s legs were trembling and she worried that her knees would give way. “But… why did she say she was your wife?”
“Slip of the tongue? Perhaps because legally she still was? She answered the phone when I was in the shower and told me someone called Camilla had rung. She said she went to correct herself but you’d cut her off.”
“Why were you showering when she was there?”
“She arrived early and my phone was in the kitchen when she went to have a coffee with mum. She answered it automatically, I think.”
Camilla nodded. “I dropped my phone when she said she was your wife. I was a bit shocked. Then I left it at Mum’s.”
“My old life is behind me, Camilla. For good. I’ll soon be officially single, although… I’d like to think that I might have a girlfriend.”
Camilla smiled. “You’re rather optimistic.”
“Well it’s Christmas Eve and I’m back where I want to be. I’d like to remain in Heatherlea and build a life here now. So would HP.”
The dog pawed her leg then as if he was agreeing with his master.
“What do you think? Could you be my girlfriend?”
“What are we? Fourteen?” Camilla giggled.
“Not for some time but I wouldn’t want to be a teenager again. Horrible time.”
“If you’d like me to be your girlfriend, I’d like that too.”
“Well that’s settled.”
He reached out and caressed her cheek, sending tiny shivers of desire down her spine then he leaned in and kissed her softly. His mouth was warm, his scent was spicy and intoxicating and his hand on her face was warm and strong. As he kissed her, HP whined.
Tom broke away and smiled at her. “I think HP is jealous.”
“Because I’m kissing you.”
“He wants all your attention for himself.”
Camilla rubbed the dog’s ears again and he nuzzled her hand.
“Shall we get a mulled wine? Looks like the carols are about to start.” Tom took her hand.
“Yes, come on.”
Chris took Camilla’s empty mug then gave them fresh mugs brimming with the festive drink and they walked over to join the locals standing in front of the tree.
Dawn and Allie flashed Camilla smiles and winks and she smiled in return. She’d thought Christmas would be different this year but had no idea exactly how different. Tom was back. He wanted to see more of her. And she’d won HP’s affection too.
It all seemed perfect.
The opening chords of I’ll Be Home for Christmas rang out from Jason Robbin’s guitar and the rest of the local band joined in. The drummer, Martina Prestin, had a tambourine, probably not wanting to set up her drum kit in the freezing cold, but the others had acoustic guitars, except for their singer Erica Connelly, who sang the first few lines in her strong and beautiful voice that reminded Camilla of Adele. When they reached the chorus, everyone joined in and goosebumps rose all over Camilla’s body.
There was a sudden gasp from the crowd and James shouted, “It’s snowing! Mummy, Daddy, Laura, look!”
People laughed as James ran into the centre of the lawn and stared up at the sky. And sure enough, fat white flakes were drifting down. They came slowly at first but soon, the air was filled with snow and everything around them grew white.
Camilla laughed as she looked at Tom and saw that he had a dusting of snow on his hat, shoulders and boots. Even HP hadn’t escaped and he was snapping at the snowflakes, trying to catch them in his mouth.
The song ended and Erica announced
the title of the next one, which she said was now very appropriate, and as she sang the old favourite White Christmas, Tom leaned down and kissed Camilla, and she felt as if her heart would burst with happiness.
“Merry Christmas, Camilla.”
“Merry Christmas, Tom.”
And they spent their first ever snowy Christmas Eve together, singing carols, drinking mulled wine and smiling, surrounded by friends old and new, at The Cosy Cottage Café.
Spring at The Cosy Cottage Café
By Rachel Griffiths
Artist Honey Blackwell is happy with her life. Well, almost. She lives in the picturesque village of Heatherlea, has three close friends and a soft spot for local supply teacher Dane Ackerman. If only she could put her past behind her and embrace the present.
Dane is working hard to prove himself at the village primary school and doesn’t really have time for love, but he’s drawn to Honey and hopes she feels the same. When a permanent teaching position is advertised in Heatherlea, he faces stiff competition to secure it.
As Honey and Dane deal with the ups and downs of life, will they be able to find a way to be together, or will they have to accept that sometimes love just isn’t enough?
1
“It’s all about new beginnings isn’t it?” Honey Blackwell smiled at her friend, Camilla Dix.
“What is?”
“Spring. It’s such a beautiful time. I love how it chases those dreary winter days away, offering a sense of hope and renewal.”
“Mmm. I love spring too. But then I love summer, autumn and winter.”
“You love any season as long as Tom’s around.”
Camilla giggled. “Am I that transparent?”
“You are, but that’s okay. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for me too.”
They strolled along, arm-in-arm, through the pretty village of Heatherlea. It was a beautiful morning, the first Saturday in March, and Honey had suggested they go for a walk to make the most of the sunshine.
The sun glinted on car windows as they passed and birds sang in the trees and from their perches on rooftops. It was as if nature shared Honey’s feeling of optimism and anticipation, as if something wonderful could happen at any moment.
A Year at The Cosy Cottage Café: A heart-warming feel-good read about life, love, loss, friendship and second chances Page 33
